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JPNN|Scientists have found a “reset button” for our biological clock, paving the way for more
effective treatment of jet lag, the negative health effects of shift work and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The discovery was made by a group of researchers at the Vanderbilt University and published in the journal Nature Neuroscience on February 2. During the research, the group discovered they could artificially stimulate the brains of mice and change their natural waking and sleeping cycles, without using the presence of light. They carried this out with the stimulation or suppression of neurons in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which can effectively reset the biological clock. The SCN is a small region inside the hypothalamus which regulates a 24-hours rest and activity cycle and helps animals know when they should eat or rest.According to neuroscientists, mice have a biological clock which is almost identical to that of humans with the difference that it is fine-tuned for nocturnal life. To carry out the project, researchers used two strains of genetically engineered mice. One strain had an optically sensitive protein which triggered neuronal activity after exposure to light, and the other had a protein which suppressed neuronal activity after exposure to light. Both strains of mice’s biological clocks neurons were stimulated with the use of laser and an optical fiber, with a method called optogenetics. Optogenetics permits researchers to suppress or stimulate neurons with a beam of light Initially light-sensitive genes are introduced into the neurons so they “turn on” when stimulated with the laser. By assessing the neurons response to the light, the scientists were able to measure and control the rate at which neurons fired in the SCN. Agency/PT

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President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Padma Vibhushan to Amitabh Bachchan, left, during a civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on 8-4-15. - AP Photo/ Manish Swarup

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama fold their hands in Namaste gesture before their departure from Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi on 27-1-15. - PTI Photo/ Manvender Vashist

British Prime Minister David Cameron with US actress Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on the doorstep of Cameron's official residence at 10 Downing Street following their meeting in central London on June 11-6 - 2014:-AP/PTI

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To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.George MacDonald

Live Healthy!

The controversy around Nestle's Maggi noodles has caused panic throughout the nation and it doesn't look like it will die down any time soon.

After the initial test results by Uttar Pradesh Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed harmful levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in Maggi, various states across India and even Bangladesh conducted tests on Maggi to find out whether the food product is safe or not.

The controversy around Maggi has led to tests being conducted across the country.

The entire controversy began when the UP FDA last month asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles "which were manufactured in February 2014" after it found high levels of added MSG, a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits.